Muhammad Ali Mirza was born on 4 October 1977 in Jhelum, Punjab.[1] His father, Mirza Arshad Mahmud, reportedly used to work in Allied Bank. Ali Mirza obtained his education in mechanical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila. He worked as a mechanical engineer for the Government of Punjab on the 19th pay scale but later quit when the department asked him to leave because he had become a public figure.[2][6][7]
Career
Mirza gives online lectures on religious issues via his YouTube channel and runs a research academy based on his understanding of the Quran and Sunnah.[4][6] His critics claim that he uses derogatory terms for the Muslim saints.[6]
In one video, Mirza considers the present-day Ahmadis to be better than Jews and Christians (the people of the book).[6] He also said they are not Muslims and said that his video clips have been presented out of context.[8]
2020 arrest
He was arrested on 4 May 2020 on suspicion of hate speech directed at religious scholars.[4][9] Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and anchor Shafaat Ali posted on social media condemning his arrest.[4] He was released on bail two days later.[10] According to Ali, one of his lectures was presented completely out of context.[4] He later said that if one starts presenting other opinions in such a way then even the verses of the Qur'an can be presented out of context.[2]
2025 arrest
On 25 August 2025, Mirza was detained by Jhelum police under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order ordinance, which allows police to make arrests and detain suspects on "acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety” or to maintain public order.[11][12] Authorities also locked his academy in Machine Mohalla, barring any gatherings or activities on the premises.[13][14] He has been charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law with outraging religious feelings, wounding religious sentiments, and making derogatory remarks against the companions or family of the Prophet Muhammad.[15] Mirza was later transferred from District Jail Jhelum to District Jail Hafizabad as a precautionary measure.[15]On 18 September 2025, Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza was transferred to Adiala Jail under high security, following his arrest in a blasphemy case and ongoing investigations by the NCCIA and FIA.[16][17]
Bail
On 3 December 2025, the Lahore High Court (Rawalpindi Bench) granted Mirza bail, directing that he submit two surety bonds of Rs. 500,000 each in order for the bail to take effect.[18][19]
Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Involvement
September 2025: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) issued an opinion recommending blasphemy charges against Mirza, alleging that he made blasphemous statements and misquoted Quranic verses. The council suggested action under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).[20][21]
November 2025: Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza’s legal team challenged the CII’s opinion in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), joining the case as a party. The court suspended the CII opinion, ruling it could not be cited in any legal or investigative forum against him until further notice.[22][23]
4 December 2025: The IHC, led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, maintained the injunction against using the CII opinion while clarifying that the council’s powers remain intact. The court summoned Attorney General Mansoor Awan to present the state’s position and questioned procedural irregularities regarding the submission of the opinion. The hearing was adjourned until after the winter recess.[24][25]
Assassination attempts
On 14 March 2021, Mirza survived a second assassination attempt, after surviving first attempt in October 2017.[3][26] The attacker visited his academy in Jhelum, Pakistan at a weekly meeting and attempted to kill him with a knife while taking a picture with him. Ali escaped with minor arm injuries.[26] Police arrested two suspects and registered an FIR against them. The attacker had traveled from Lahore to Jhelum to kill Mirza.[2][27][28]
In August 2023, Ali Hasan, from Gujrat, attempted to barge into the Jhelum Academy armed with a knife. He was overpowered by guards and other members of the academy.[29][30]
Controversies
Mirza's views[which?] on Mu'awiya I, the first Umayyad Caliph have made him a controversial figure among the traditionalist Sunni Muslim scholars of Pakistan, such as Deobandi scholar Tariq Masood. In 2021 Mirza challenged Masood to arrive and have a face-to-face debate in Jhelum. The debate was planned for May 2021, and then postponed until October.[31][32] However, the debate never took place. Masood claimed that he had travelled to Jhelum but was unable to make contact with Mirza; he and his supporters went on to declare victory over Muhammad Ali Mirza.[32]
On 26 November 2023, Hanif Qureshi travelled to Jhelum for a planned munazra (face-to-face debate). Mirza then cancelled the debate and Qureshi was prevented from entering the Academy by Jhelum police; he then returned to Rawalpindi and proclaimed victory.[33]
2022 Muhammad remarks controversy
In June 2022, Ali Mirza criticized Taslim Rehmani for badmouthing Hindu gods in front of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Times Now. He said Nupur Sharma abused Muhammad in reaction to that.[34] Indian journalist Rubika Liaquat praised Ali Mirza for his stand with Nupur Sharma on her Twitter account. Many Indian and Pakistani scholars were furious with Ali Mirza for this comment.[35]
2023 blasphemy charges
In April 2023, a case of blasphemy was registered against Ali Mirza under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. The accusations against Mirza include insulting Islamic Prophet Muhammad and downplaying the Pakistani legal ruling that considers Ahmadis to have non-Muslim status.[36] Pir Afzal Qadri, a deceased religious cleric, had offered a reward of Rs.500,000 for the assassination of Ali Mirza in 2023, stating that he deserved to be killed.[8]
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